The Chief Judge (CJ) of Kogi, Justice Joe Majebi, on Wednesday released 10 awaiting-trial inmates during a jail delivery exercise at the Koton-Karfe Medium Security Custodial Centre.

The exercise, conducted in collaboration with the Nigerian Correctional Service and other stakeholders in the justice sector, was aimed at decongesting correctional centres and ensuring that inmates were not subjected to prolonged detention without trial.

Majebi said more than 50 inmates’ cases were reviewed during the exercise, leading to the release of some inmates, the granting of bail to others and the transfer of some cases to facilitate speedy trial.

Among those released were Abdullahi, Suleiman Shuaibu, who had been in custody since 2025 over allegations of criminal conspiracy and kidnapping.

The chief judge, while ordering his release, discharged him of the offences, bringing an end to his stay in custody.

According to Majebi, the custodial centre currently houses 54 convicted inmates, 162 awaiting-trial inmates, six inmates on death row and one inmate serving a life sentence.

He said five awaiting-trial inmates were transferred to appropriate custodial facilities to ensure the speedy determination of their cases.

Responding, Mr. Emmanuel Dangana, the Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Koton-Karfe Medium Security Custodial Centre, commended the Chief Judge and other stakeholders for the exercise.

Dangana reiterates many inmates remained in custody because they lacked relatives or other persons willing to stand as sureties for their bail.

He noted that the intervention had helped to decongest the facility and offered hope to deserving inmates. (NAN)